Live: David Kushner Brings Daylight to NYC
David Kushner was a bright ray of light this past week at Webster Hall in NYC on his Daylight Tour 2.0.
Raised in Chicago, the singer-songwriter began releasing music in 2022 and quickly gained success with his soulful songs and rich voice. Kushner’s first two singles, “Miserable Man” and “Mr. Forgettable,” set him on a path to success. Both songs went viral on TikTok, gaining him millions of followers and a large fanbase. Riding that momentum, 2023 saw Kushner skyrocket with his hit song “Daylight.”
Chance Peña opened the night, charming the New York crowd with his southern drawl and easygoing nature. Dressed in a white tank top, jeans, and Birkenstocks, the Texas singer looked at home on stage with his Fender Acoustasonic. Fans gave Pena their undivided attention, singing all the words to his recently released EP Lovers to Strangers.
Covering Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness,” Peña transformed the song into an acoustic ballad that had the crowd singing along. Connecting with the audience, Peña took the time to take pictures with fans in between retuning guitars. Peña sprinkled his set list with a few unreleased songs before hitting the audience with fan favorite “In My Room” for his finale. A roar went up as Peña played the opening riff. Hundreds of voices sang along with the opening line, "They say counting stars/You play the part of a soul missing home." Ending his set on a high note, Pena ensured he was unforgettable.
As the crew got ready for Kushner to take the stage, Pena’s backdrop fell away to reveal David Kushner’s, prompting screams from the crowd as hundreds of fans ramped up the excitement. The lights dimmed as the band walked out on stage to cheers from the crowd. Kushner followed with his soon-to-be-released song “Dead Man” playing. Fans immediately started singing along with Kushner as he strode to the center of the stage, guitar in hand.
Dedicated and filled with love for the singer, one of the fans passed out balloons for Kushner's birthday the previous day. After "Cigarettes," the first few rows sang a quick happy birthday to the singer. A single balloon managed to float its way onstage to land at Kusher's feet, where it remained on stage for the rest of the show.
Kushner dedicated his third song, “Mr. Forgettable,” to his grandfather who passed away from Alzheimer’s, and explained the mental tool that took on him. A few people teared up at his speech and the meaning behind the song. It was an incredible moment with so many people singing along to Kushner's personal song.
Playing through his EP Footprints I Found, Kushner also treated the audience to a few unreleased tracks. Already a fan favorite from the few snippets that have been shared, “Georgia Rain” had everyone singing along to the chorus.
Kushner showcased his songwriting on "Hero" and "Time." Moody and magnetic, "Hero" addresses how relationships change. "I was the hero, but you get the glory / Now I'm the villain inside of your story."
Speaking about the stigma surrounding mental health, Kushner got personal with his experiences. Hearing where the song emerged from made the song more meaningful. "Cause I don't wanna live, but I don't wanna die / I just need to take a little bit more time."
Stripping back to a piano track, Kushner continued with "Elk Grove." Floating above the light instrumental, Kushner's voice stood out from the hundreds of voices singing below his. Singing about loss, "Elk Grove" is bittersweet but palpably human in its reminder that love and loss go hand in hand.
After “Elk Grove,” the audience was quiet for a few moments before a roar went up as the intro to “Daylight” started. Changing out of his jacket, Kushner reappeared on stage to massive cheers. Kushner's rich voice soars powerfully on the track as he sings about the battle we all face between darkness and light. "Oh I love it and I hate it at the same time / You and I drink the poison from the same vine."
David Kushner's Daylight Tour 2.0 has just started! Get tickets at davidkushnermusic.com/tour
See photos from the show here.